Flournoy became the 32nd commander when he assumed command from Col.
Patricia S. Blassie in a ceremony officiated by Lt. Gen. James F.
Jackson, chief of the Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air Force
Reserve Command.

"Colonel Blassie, you experienced a lot of change during your tenure as
commander -- from a physical move to Buckley AFB to huge leaps in the
modernization of ARPC," Jackson said. "Thank you for your leadership and
dedication to ARPC, and the incredible service you and ARPC provide for
our Citizen Airmen."

Flournoy is the former 349th Air Mobility Wing commander at Travis AFB,
Calif. Blassie is moving to Robins AFB, Ga., to become the chief of the
Professional Development Center.

"Thank you, General Jackson, for the opportunity to lead such an
incredibly accomplished organization," Flournoy said. "Team ARPC, thank
you for your seamless service to all of our Airmen. I am honored to be
your commander and stand with you: wingmen, leaders, warriors."

"To the men and women of ARPC: No matter what we faced, we stood strong
together to accomplish our unique mission," Blassie said. "You are a
magnificent team of professionals. The people who serve the people who
serve. I am so tremendously proud to have served as your commander."

ARPC is responsible for personnel support to nearly 1 million Air
National Guard, Air Force Reserve and retired members, ensuring they are
ready to deliver strategic Total Force war-fighting capability for the
Air Force. From initial entry to retirement, the center provides
world-class support for generations of Airmen throughout their military
careers. The center is a direct reporting unit under AFRC.

by Capt. Belena S. Marquez
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

1/26/2013 - JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. -- The
most combat-decorated Air Force unit since the end of the Vietnam War
named more heroes Jan. 23-24 during medal presentation ceremonies at
Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Ore., and Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Wash.

The 24th Special Operations Wing gained one Silver Star, six Bronze Star
medals with Valor, and seven Bronze Star medals when Airmen from the
22nd Special Tactics Squadron were recognized with the nation's third
and fourth highest combat decorations.

"Like many, the Airmen's willingness to serve at the tip of the spear,
directly going into harm's way to attack the enemy time after time,
represents the best of America," said Col. Robert Armfield, commander of
the 24th SOW. "We are proud to see their sacrifice recognized. It gives
us a chance to pause for just a moment to thank these special operators
and, more importantly, to recognize their families, who bear the burden
of this relentless mission."

During the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Adam Krueger was awarded the Silver
Star, the third highest combat military decoration in the United States,
for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while
engaged in military operations.

While on a foot patrol, his team was ambushed by an entrenched enemy
less than 10 meters from the friendly position. The Army Special Forces
team was immediately pinned down and then Senior Airman Krueger directed
an F-15 strafing run within meters of his position to allow the
friendly patrol to fight their way into a compound and establish a
strong point.

"He took care of us on that day," said one of Krueger's Special Forces teammates, who attended the ceremony.

During the subsequent 12-hour firefight, two Soldiers were hit with
enemy rounds. Kruger exposed himself to enemy fire in order to direct
another air attack to allow the wounded members to be moved to safety.
He then exposed himself again to mark the landing zone for the medical
evacuation helicopter, enabling the life-saving patient evacuation.
Additionally, Airman Krueger directed nine danger-close airstrikes.

Krueger's receipt of the medal marks the 32nd Silver Star earned by Air
Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Airmen since 9/11.

"It takes an uncommon bravery to put oneself in direct danger," said Lt.
Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander. "If I were to ask any one of these men
what they think about these decorations, I'm sure that they would all
humbly respond that they were just doing their job."

Fiel told the audience what doing their job and more means for a
deployed combat controller as he described actions that resulted in the
sixth Silver Star awarded to the 22nd STS.

"Repeatedly exposing oneself to enemy fire after being pinned down by a
coordinated, lethal ambush, coordinating for nine danger-close air
strikes which allowed your teammates to seek cover and recover wounded
personnel, and providing suppressive fire while simultaneously marking a
landing zone to enable a life-saving patient evacuation, without regard
to one's own safety, as Staff Sgt. Adam Krueger did, is more than just
doing your job," he said.

Fiel also recognized the courageous actions of the Bronze Star and Bronze Star with Valor recipients.

The Bronze Star is the fourth highest combat honor in the United States
and is awarded for acts of bravery and meritorious service against an
armed enemy of the United States. When the Bronze Star is awarded for
heroism, it is annotated by a bronze "V" device, which designates valor.

Many of the honorees were awarded their third or fourth Bronze Star. As a
result, they received oak leaf clusters, which are worn on the medal or
ribbon to indicate subsequent awards.

According to the medal citations, the recipients contributed to
coordinated air attacks, ground combat support, casualty medical
evacuation capabilities, and lives saved, all while engaged in combat
operations.

"Though each of these men are being recognized for their courage, these
decorations were earned in years [of preparation]--through long
physical, mental and technical training pipelines. Across experiences
from previous deployments and through the lessons passed on by the men
who bore the standard before them," Fiel said.

In order to earn the right to wear the scarlet beret, the mark of combat
controllers, candidates must complete 35 weeks of initial training.
Additional training for the career field includes pipeline courses
which result in mastery of parachuting skills, combat diving, survival
techniques, special tactics skills and qualifications in air traffic
control.

Lt. Col. Thad Allen, 22 STS commander, who has known the Silver Star
recipient since 2008, said Krueger, like many other Combat Controllers
across AFSOC, trained for years honing his skills to deal with the
complexities of combat.

"Often, it's Senior Airmen, like Adam, making life or death decisions
under fire, with potential strategic impact. That in and of itself is
impressive," he said.
During the ceremony speech, Fiel also addressed the family members in attendance.

"Between a demanding pace of today's global special operations and your
community's commitment to quiet professionalism we do not come together
often enough to recognize the tremendous dedication of our special
tactics," Fiel said. "But it is truly a pleasure for me to reflect on
their accomplishments, particularly in the presence of family members
and of course, the squadron teammates."

He also emphasized the significance of family support to the AFSOC mission and offered them a special message.

"I thank you personally for everything you do, every day for the
nation," Fiel said. "It does not go unnoticed. Our military families
make extraordinary, unique sacrifices to support our mission and we
sincerely appreciate your contributions to our nation's security."

Before the group heard the citations, Fiel prepared to award the medals to the 13 recipients with one final statement.

"The stories...are inspiring and call each of us to rededicate
ourselves, preparing for our own moment of opportunity, when a critical
mission and the lives of our teammates will demand that we realize our
full potential."

1/28/2013 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The
Air Force Air Advisor Academy instructed cultural preparation and
engagement to a team of professional airlifters at Yokota Air Base,
Japan, Jan. 14 - 18, making it the first time the academy has sent a
mobility training team to train in the Pacific Command since the school
began in May 2012.

The five-day course began with an overview of the vast and diverse PACOM
mission and focused into a more Yokota-specific mission as the class
progressed. The 36th Airlift Squadron hosted the class and provided the
instructors with upcoming Yokota engagement opportunities -- Indonesia
and Thailand.

The U.S. is moving forward by building partnerships since President
Barack Obama outlined the need for alliances in the 2012 National
Security Strategy. Because of this need, the AAA is continuing to grow
and spread support throughout the Air Force.

According to Maj. Alex Richburg, U.S. Air Force AAA Division chief of
Language, Region and Culture Studies, the U.S. focus shifted to the
Pacific recently and has added extra weight to conducting these
exercises and building partnerships. He said squadrons like the 36th AS
are trying to do more in order to meet the requirements the president
put emphasis on, and the AAA instructors came to Yokota to help the
airlifters be more effective at what they do.

"We can strive to be the best airlifters in the world, but if we don't
know how to effectively communicate and build relationships with our
partner nations in the Pacific, then our airlift skills are being
squandered," said Capt. Olin Johnson, 36th AS C-130 Hercules pilot.

Johnson said he and his squadron train to fly. They practice day-to-day
to be professional airlifters, but lack training in cross-cultural
affairs, and that is exactly where the course came into play.

"The Air Advisor course taught us essential skills for building
partnerships and knowledge of cultural norms and how to effectively
communicate with individuals from other cultures," Johnson added. "We
may have the best intentions, but if we don't know how to communicate
those intentions in a culturally-appropriate context, then we set
ourselves up for embarrassment at best and failure at worst."

Air adviser skills are invaluable for anyone working hand-in-hand with
partner nations, and according to Johnson, the course gave students the
tools needed to communicate effectively.

"The training gave our mission commanders and key players both the
skills and confidence to build relationships with our partners," he
added. "Each class was useful and tailored to the specific needs of
Yokota's role in PACOM."

The course taught Yokota members what their legal limits are as air
adviser along with tactical skills. Richburg said his instruction taught
the airlifters to be more effective in exercises they are already
doing. Lessons included mission planning, execution and after action
analysis; behavior in host countries; using embassy resources; surviving
if things go bad and understanding culture.

The U.S. has advisers in 135 countries, which requires many Airmen to fill those roles.
"We try to take someone with knowledge of being an adviser and teach
them exactly how to be effective," Richburg said. "It is not teaching
aviation, but it is teaching aviation-related professionals how to
interact and work with a foreign culture in an advisory role."

The AAA and its mobility course takes general-purpose forces -- people
who are mature, experienced Airmen, typically between staff sergeant and
colonel, who are tasked to work with foreign governments or militaries,
usually at the host nation's request -- and train them to function as
air advisers when collaborating with host nations. The instructors
educate Airmen who are already proficient at their jobs to apply their
job skills in a foreign country, government, military and other
cultures.

"These Airmen are not traditionally advisers, but have exercise
opportunities to be in an adviser role with host nations, and we are
giving them some skills or tools to make them more effective at working
with allies and influencing the region," Richburg said. "When we partner
with nations, we are less likely to get into armed conflict, and it
allows our partner nations to help us help them secure the region.

"We see people going to Afghanistan, Morocco and Egypt and they are
applying this knowledge every day," he added. "Now we can see the same
knowledge applied to the Pacific region."

When the course returns to Yokota to train more airlifters in the art of
cultural engagement depends on the demand, Richburg said. He added that
the 36th AS has already requested another course this year, so there is
a great chance for more professional airlifters to train as air
advisers.

"We are still growing and our primary concern is our in-residence class,
but we put together small teams of instructors to go on the road and
teach when needed," added Richburg.

1/25/2013 - PORTLAND,Ore -- In a
rare break with normal ceremonial protocol, the commander of Air Force
Special Operations Command invited family members onto the stage for
photos following the pinning of each of the five Bronze Star Medals and
one Purple Heart Medal awarded to members of the Oregon Air National
Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron.

"This ceremony is as much to honor the families of these Airmen as it is
for the Airmen themselves," said Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, who flew in from
AFSOC headquarters in Hurlburt Field, Fla., to present the awards.

The six Airmen, in Air Force dress uniform, with their signature special
operations scarlet beret, were honored during the afternoon ceremony in
the Rosenbaum Hangar for their distinguished service in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The crowd was comprised of
Airmen, Soldiers, Oregon National Guard leadership, representatives from
the Port of Portland, and family members and friends.

Five of the Airmen were awarded Bronze Stars, two of which included the
"V" for valor, and another received the Purple Heart. The group are all
trained combat controllers in an elite squadron of Special Operations--a
career field which has garnered the highest number of decorations in
the entire Air Force, remarked Fiel.

"Between the demanding pace of today's global special operations and
your community's commitment to the quiet professionals, we are all
fortunate to be able to recognize these special tactic Airmen on
occasions like this," said Fiel.

Recipients of the Bronze star medal were; Staff Sgt. David A. Albright,
Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey A. Dolezal, Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Guffey, Master Sgt.
Scott A. Geisser and Senior Airman Chadwick J. Boles. Tech. Sgt. Douglas
J. Matthews was awarded Purple Heart, the nation's oldest medal, first
established by President George Washington on August 7, 1782, while he
served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The award
features the likeness of Washington on its front.

The Bronze Star Medal the fourth-highest combat decoration and the ninth
highest U.S. military award in order of precedence. Established on Feb.
4, 1944, it may be awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or
meritorious service in a combat zone. When awarded for acts of heroism,
the medal is awarded with the "V" device.

Fiel acknowledged the family members in the audience.

"Military families pay a heavy price in support of their loved ones in
uniform so today this is your ceremony so please take the opportunity to
take photographs and enjoy the time together," he said.

Presiding over the ceremony was Oregon Air National Guard Brig. Gen.
Steven D. Gregg, commander of the Oregon Air National Guard.

"Today we have the opportunity to recognize the incredible work our
Combat Controllers are doing when working with collation forces to
provide stabilize throughout Afghanistan," Gregg said, as the honorees
sat in a row across the stage.

The current mobilization began for the 125th STS in May 2011 as members
began leaving in three separate cycles lasting six-month per deployment
in November 2011. The last of the three deployment cycles will end in
March 2013. A total of 29 Oregon Citizen-Airmen from the 125th STS have
deployed to Afghanistan since May 2011.

Combat controllers are highly-trained experts who deploy undetected into
combat and hostile environments, where they perform a variety of task
to include; establishing assault zones and air fields, conduct air
traffic control, fire support, command and control, counter terrorism as
well as humanitarian missions.

During the latest cycle of deployments, the Airmen took part in over 800
combat missions, including 100 fire fights, which averaged more than
one every three days. Furthermore, they neutralized over 190 enemy
combatants with no civilian causalities, Gregg said.

"The scope and the scale of what the combat controllers of the 125th
have achieved on the battle field in the past 15-months is nothing short
of remarkable," he added. "The Airmen of the 125th are as accomplished
as they are unique to the mission they support."

Master Sgt. Scott Geisser, who has been 125th STS since the unit formed
in 2005, has played a critical role over the past eight years helping to
build the squadron from the ground up. His actions during the
deployment drew upon his tactical skills in command and control with
over 100 fixed and rotary wing aircraft supporting operations targeted
Taliban insurgents in numerous fire fights.

A native of Gig Harbor, Wash., Staff Sgt. Jacob Guffey attended the
University of Hawaii at Hilo for two years before joining the military,
and taking on the two years' worth of training necessary to become a
combat controller with the 125th. In Afghanistan he embedded with a
Marine Special Operations team and Afghan Commando Battalion on complex
operations to clear deeply entrenched insurgent pockets in the Helmand
province. He also controlled four medical evacuations, including one
while he performing treatment to a teammate who had been struck by
sniper fire.

Staff Sgt. David Albright's Air Force career began as a crew chief
repairing and maintaining many of the aircraft that would later support
his role in theatre as a combat controller. A native of Taylor, Mich.,
he entered the demanding 'pipeline training' of the Combat Control
courses as he transitioned to the Oregon Air National Guard in June
2008, following six years in the active duty Air Force. During his tour
in Afghanistan, his team was ambushed by 20 insurgents while on patrol
searching for an automatic anti-aircraft weapon. Albright quickly
engaged the enemy while coordinating two close support A-10 aircraft
with strafing attacks to counter the insurgents.

Once an Air Force captain, Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Dolezal traded in his
commission after graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2002 to become
a combat controller with the 720th Operational Support Squadron in
Hurlburt Field, Fla. As a member of the Oregon Air National Guard, he is
responsible for coordinating and executing training for operators in
the 125th STS. He conducted more than 170 fixed wing and rotary wing
attacks during his last deployment and his team was instrumental in
improving relations with the local population, helping garner support
for the local Afghan security forces.

Senior Airman Chadwick Boles lettered football and volleyball in high
school before joining the Air Force in early 2005. Like Dolezal, he was
previously assigned on active duty with the 720th Operational Support
Squadron before joining the 125th STS as a drill status member. It was
during his most recent deployment that Boles earned his Bronze Star with
Valor for engaging the enemy under heavy fire, exposing himself to
incoming rounds, while he helped save a teammate who had been shot. He
also assisted in the urgent care of that member until a safe medical
evacuation helicopter could be secured.

Currently a student at the University of Colorado, Tech. Sgt. Douglas
Matthews first served on active duty in the Air Force from 2003 to 2008
and later became a member of the Oregon Air National Guard. Before being
wounded and receiving the Purple Heart Medal from his latest deployment
to Afghanistan, Matthews himself has been active in the Wounded Warrior
Foundation.

"What a privilege it is to honor their extraordinary service here today," said Gregg.

In keeping with the domestic mission of the National Guard, within days
of returning to Oregon, several members responded to search and rescue
missions in support of "Super-Storm" Sandy.

"It is truly amazing what Air Force units like the 125th provide to the wider Special Operations teams," Fiel said.

Special operations teams are made up of Air Force, Army, Navy and
Marines, and have been responsible over the last 11 years, killing or
capturing more terrorist then all the conventional forces combined, Fiel
added.

The 125th Special Tactics Squadron is one of only two Special Tactic
units in the Air National Guard. Established on May 27, 2005, the 125th
STS has deployed forces in support of numerous overseas combat
deployments including Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and
Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn in Iraq, and domestic emergency
response missions such as the flooding in Vernonia, Ore., in 2007,
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the recent response efforts
following Super Storm Sandy.

1/24/2013 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The
113th Aerospace Control Alert Detachment of the District of Columbia
Air National Guard at Joint Base Andrews passed a major air defense
milestone January 9, responding to its 4,000th alert event since
Operation Noble Eagle started in September, 2001.

An alert event is designated when the unit's F-16 fighters are alerted
to the runway or beyond responding to a possible airborne threat.

"Day, night, rain or shine, our forces are on alert 24/7 protecting the
NCR," stated Lt. Col. Chris Hardgrave, the 113th ACA Commander. "I am
extremely proud of the accomplishments of the men and women of the 113th
ACA detachment for hitting this alert milestone. It is a testament to
the dedication, professionalism and daily sacrifice of our folks who
have done the alert mission day in and day out for over 11 years."

The 113th ACA, protecting the National Capital Region (NCR), is the most
active air defense unit in the nation; responding to more alert events
than the entire nation's other ACA units combined. In 2012 alone the
unit responded to 509 events and has been conducting steady state alert
from Joint Base Andrews since the attacks on 9/11.

"The defense of the NCR is a team effort. We couldn't accomplish our
assigned tasking without support from the Eastern Air Defense Sector,
Joint Air Defense Operations Center, U.S. Coast Guard assets, 11th Wing,
89th Wing, Air Force District of Washington, and the FAA, just to name a
few of our partners here at Joint Base Andrews and around the NCR,"
said Brig. Gen. Marc Sasseville, the 113th Wing Commander.

Operation Noble Eagle is an ongoing NORAD mission started in response to
the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to protect the continental
United States from further airborne aggression from inside and outside
of U.S. borders. Since then, Continental U.S. NORAD Region fighters have
responded to more than 5,000 possible air threats in the United States
and have flown more than 62,500 sorties with the support of Airborne
Warning and Control System and air-to-air-refueling aircraft.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2013 – A new task force will start work next
month on a 120-day review of all family and military community programs
across the Defense Department to determine their effectiveness and
identify gaps and potential efficiencies, a senior defense official
said.

Charles E. Milam, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for
military community and family policy, will lead the Common Services Task
Force at the request of Jessica Wright, acting undersecretary of
defense for personnel and readiness, he told defense reporters here last
week.
“The goals of the task force are to continue providing
exceptional support to service members and their families as effectively
and efficiently as possible,” Milam said, “and -- this is a guiding
principle for us -- we expect to deliver the same or better level of
programs and services.”

Task force members will include senior
leaders at the one-star or Senior Executive Service level from each
secretariat and service, he said, along with representation from the DOD
comptroller’s office, the Pentagon cost assessment and program
evaluation office, and the public affairs and legislative affairs
offices.

The services independently have been looking at many of the same program issues, Milam added.
Last year, for example, the Military Family Readiness Council initiated
an effectiveness review for 170 family programs that exist across the
services, he said.

“What we’re looking at now [in that review] is
building effectiveness measures on those programs [to see] which ones
are effective, which ones are moving the needle, which ones have an
impact,” the deputy assistant secretary explained.

In the meantime, he added, DOD officials decided they needed to look at the issue more holistically and across the department.

One driver of the task force’s review will be demographic, Milam said.

A majority of service members used to live on military installations,
but now about 75 percent live in surrounding communities, he noted. “One
of the concerns that we hear repeatedly on surveys is that our service
members and their families aren’t aware of many of the programs being
offered,” he said.

Milam said the review will look at every
program under the portfolio of the Pentagon’s military community and
family policy office. These include programs that serve children, teens
and families, as well as those that address recreation, business and
exceptional family members.

Recreation programs can address
fitness and wellness, and business programs can include golf programs,
bowling centers, outdoor recreation and community centers, he said.

To determine which programs work, Milam said the department will
examine “feedback from military families [about] which programs reduce
stress, which ones improve quality of life of our service members, and
which ones reach our service members.”

The services all are doing
similar things under the direction of DOD’s military community and
family policy office, Milam said. “Whether there is redundancy in that
or not, we’ll find out,” he added. “That’s what this is all about.
There’s going to be a fact-gathering period where we’re going to look at
all these programs to see what’s out there.”

Commissaries,
military exchanges and the DOD Education Activity -- which runs schools
for children of military families -- will not be part of the review, he
added.

“This initiative is not related to any budget-cutting
drill,” Milam clarified. “But when we go through this process, if we
find efficiencies, which we possibly will, there are two pots of money
we’re talking about.”

Nonappropriated funds are those generated
at the local level through service members in buying and using services,
he said. “Any savings that we generate there will go back to the
installations to improve quality-of-life programs,” Milam said. For
savings found in activities that operate with appropriated funds, he
added, decisions will need to be made about what to do with those funds.
If gaps in family services are found during the review, Milam said, community partnerships may be an answer.

“If we find gaps, there’s going to have to be some collaboration with
the communities,” he said. “We’re doing this already in our child
development programs.”

For those programs, service members and
their families can use nationally accredited child development programs
outside the installation. They pay up to the maximum rate charged for
on-base care at that local installation and are reimbursed the
difference, he said.

“So there’s a model out there already where
we’re using community services,” Milam said. “That’s not to say we don’t
need child development programs on the installation. We need both.”

Parents want child care where they work or live, he noted. “But we also
need to look at those other services,” he added. “Do we need to build
more fitness centers or can we perhaps partner more? These are the
things that we’re going to look at.”

1/24/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The
Third Marine Expeditionary Force has been a staple on Okinawa, Japan
since World War II. The MEF is forward-deployed here in order to
safe-guard American and our allies' interests in Asia and they cover a
spectrum of humanitarian aid, amphibious assault, and combat operations.

In order to be ready at all times for their nation's calling, the
Marines undergo bi-annual troop movements. They completely "swap out"
with fresh troops to ensure force capability. This swap is called a Unit
Deployment Program.

This UDP is a large logistical effort involving the movements of
approximately 3,500 personnel through the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron
terminal every six months. Marines do not own outsized transport
aircraft; instead, they rely heavily on Air Mobility Command and
contracted airlift for their large troop deployments. This is a key
strategic decision, which allows a seamless transition for the troops
arriving in theater to immediately begin supporting operations.

The UDP brings in Marine forces like the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit,
2nd Battalion, and the 1st Marines based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
These units come over and provide a multitude of platforms; anything
from a United States humanitarian role model to bilateral exercises as
the designated Battalion Landing Team MEU force. The deployment program
enables extensive training and increased readiness for both Airmen and
Marines alike.

That is when the Airmen of the 733rd AMS at Kadena Air Base come into
the picture. The 733rd AMS receives and delivers these Marines.

"We always know that UDP time means a huge influx of our passenger
numbers and we are here to facilitate their movements," said Staff Sgt.
Brianna McNab, a passenger service supervisor for the 733rd AMS. "The
733rd is the single point of contact between the III MEF and the carrier
aircraft; everything we do is truly a team effort."

Along with the partnership of III MEF Marines, this process has been
streamlined exponentially. The original process left the Marines to fend
for themselves on the flightline with minimal experience and the
daunting task; to download and upload 350 passengers in less than three
hours. The task may seem overwhelming to ground forces, but the 733rd
AMS does this kind of movement regularly. The process has since been
simplified with a new logistical coordination between the two teams.

"The Marines can do what they do best and we will do what we do best,"
said Master Sgt. Jessica Coombs, 733rd AMS Passenger Services
superintendent.

According to Coombs, the terminal will be responsible for all aerial
port debarkation procedures that service members would encounter during a
typical military movement.

Transportation to and from aircraft, organization of baggage download,
and booking of passengers are all operations handled by the 733rd AMS
daily. The Marines can then focus on the transportation from the
terminal to home-stations.

"This operation is the first thing that incoming Marines see of Okinawa,
and we want to demonstrate a solid partnership as the first boot
touches the ground," said Lt. Col Jupe Etheridge, 733rd AMS commander.
"The organization and rapid movement benefits the morale and wellness of
America's troops in the East. Building mobility partnerships are a must
to the success of our operations and sister services are forced to rely
upon one another. This is the true meaning of joint operations."

From a Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region News Release

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Jan. 28, 2013 – Continental U.S.
North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters, along with
interagency partners, will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday
preparing to protect the skies around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New
Orleans.

Just like the teams in the Super Bowl, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and its partners will practice before the big game.

Exercise Falcon Virgo 13-Super Bowl, a NORAD air defense exercise, will
take place tomorrow in the greater New Orleans area to allow
interagency partners the chance to practice procedures for responding to
airspace violations.

The Falcon Virgo exercise is a series of
training flights in coordination with the Federal Aviation
Administration, the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, Civil Air
Patrol, the 601st Air and Space Operations Center, and the Continental
U.S. NORAD Region’s Western Air Defense Sector. These agencies are part
of America’s team for defense of the air space around the nation,
including major events such as the Super Bowl.

New Orleans
residents can expect flights to begin around 7 a.m. CST tomorrow and
continue for about an hour, officials said. If inclement weather occurs,
the exercise will take place the following morning, and if bad weather
continues, officials will then make a decision to postpone or cancel the
exercise.

“A key aspect of our daily air defense measures lies
in our interagency coordination,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Sid Clarke,
Continental U.S. NORAD Region commander. “This Falcon Virgo exercise is
the perfect opportunity for the Continental U.S. NORAD Region and all
our interagency partners to work together honing our air defense skills
before Sunday’s big game.”

These exercises are carefully planned
and closely controlled to ensure the Continental U.S. NORAD Region’s
rapid response capability, officials said, noting that the Continental
U.S. NORAD Region has conducted exercise flights of this nature
throughout the United States since the start of Operation Noble Eagle,
the nation’s ongoing response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11,
2001.

“When it comes to defending America’s skies, whether it’s
Super Bowl Sunday or any other day, the men and women of the Continental
U.S. NORAD Region and America’s AOC are always on duty,” Clarke said.
“We are America’s airmen on the watch.”

Since 9/11, Continental
U.S. NORAD Region fighters have responded to more than 5,000 possible
air threats in the United States and have flown more than 62,500 sorties
with the support of Airborne Warning and Control System and
air-to-air-refueling aircraft for Operation Noble Eagle.